Red Sox Rally in 8th Inning to Beat Orioles

Mike Greenwell hit a two-run homer as the Boston Red Sox rallied for five runs in the eighth inning today to beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-4.

The Orioles scored two runs in the ninth but fell short in their bid to win consecutive games on the road for the first time since August, 1987.

Ellis Burks led off the Boston eighth with a triple off Brian Holton, 1-2, who replaced starter Jose Bautista at the start of the seventh. Greenwell then hit his fourth homer of the season, a 420-foot blast into the bleachers in right center.

Jim Rice followed with a single that extended his hitting streak to 11 games. Danny Heep singled one out later, sending pinch runner Randy Kutcher to third and knocking Holton out of the game.

Reliever Mark Williamson then walked Jody Reed and Rick Cerone to force in a run. Williamson was replaced by Kevin Hickey, who struck out Wade Boggs before giving up a two-run single to Marty Barrett that gave Boston a 6-2 lead.

The Orioles opened the ninth with three consecutive singles off Lee Smith, 1-1, who replaced starter Wes Gardner in the eighth. The third single, by Randy Milligan, drove in Cal Ripken and made it 6-3.

Bob Stanley relieved Smith and got Francisco Melendez on a fielder’s choice before pinch-hitter Jim Traber made it 6-4 with a sacrifice fly.

Stanley then earned his second save by retiring Rene Gonzales on a game-ending fielder’s choice. Gardner went seven innings, allowing four hits and matching his career high with eight strikeouts.

Boston took a 1-0 lead in the first on a double by Barrett, a pair of walks and a sacrifice fly by Rice.